Competencies for managers in various levels

Do managers need different skills on different levels of the organisational hierarchy to be successful? If yes what competencies are needed for managers on different levels? There are two theories in management science that try to explain this. The first one, called normative theory of leadership , presumes that there is a standard skillset required on every level that guarantees the success of a leader.

On the other hand, situational leadership theory presumes that different levels of hierarchy require managers to play totally different roles and conduct different activities. Latest research on strategic management supports the latter assumption.

The researches think that managers on different levels are responsible for different forms of strategy. Combined, these forms of strategy form a “set of interconnected strategies”: first line managers execute operations strategy, middle managers are responsible for functional strategy and top managers - for strategic direction.

Essential activities on different managerial levels

According to situational leadership theory, team leaders and first-line managers spend most of their time in one-to-one interaction and all their activities can be distilled into the following:

  • managing the efficiency of direct reports,
  • giving instructions.

Middle managers unlike first-line managers work with groups of people. On this level, managers must have all first-line managers competencies plus the following ones:

  • planning and allocating organizational resources,
  • coordinating the work of several teams,
  • managing inter-group efficiency.

The key function on this level is coordinating the teamwork as this aligns work of first-line and top managers. If a person is successful in this function it means that he or she has a potential for transition to a higher level.

Top managers are responsible for monitoring the business environment, representing the organisation, communicating with key clients, partners and competitors.

The mentioned managerial functions and requirements based on them underlie the competency maps that have main functions and areas of focus for managers on different leveles.

Team Leader Level

Professionals should have key positions in any organisation to allow it to grow and compete. Managers should be prepared for challenges, analyse various types of information and be always in development. In order to be a professional manager and develop all managerial competencies, on the Team Leader level your employees should:

  • focus on managing their own resources and developing leadership capabilities based on emotional intelligence,
  • understand innovations and how to support them,
  • know how to establish and develop effective working relationship with team members, assign and control workload, find opportunities for their development,
  • have basic knowledge on how to understand financial statements and make effective decisions,
  • know how to support virtual teams and contribute to excellent client service.

First-Line Manager Level

On the First Line Manager Level your employees should:

  • focus on their development and careers,
  • know how to engage and motivate their people and provide equal opportunities for everybody,
  • support innovation and plan and implement change,
  • support and develop effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders,
  • know how attract and recruit personnel and retain the best employees, how to manage conflicts, manage performance and implement discipline procedures and downsizing,
  • know how to budget a project or unit, contribute to work and environmental safety, support effective exchange of information and knowledge and manage procurement,

Mid-Level Manager

As Mid-Level Managers your employees should:

  • actively develop a personal network,
  • know tools and methods that support development and implementation of operations plans as well as marketing strategies, marketing development, manage expectations of clients and development of new products and services,
  • manage organisational change,
  • be able to negotiate effectively,
  • know tools and frameworks needed to manage manufacturing stock, take strategic decisions and tools of knowledge management,
  • know how to manage business processes, develop and implement marketing plans, manage clients’ expectations and develop new products and services.

Top Manager Level

Top managers of your company should:

  • know how to research and map the external environment of your organisation, develop and implement the organisational vision and strategy, manage organisational risks,
  • use corporate governance principles, plan workforce needs to reach organisational goals,
  • make long-term investment decisions and manage investment projects, support digitalisation in your company.

SNAPSIM learning system uses the list of competencies . The list is based on 74 standards from National Occupational Standards for Management and Leadership. Similar approach is used in Chartered Management Institute (UK) qualification.